Have you ever caught yourself saying, “time is flying by”? Me too. Back in the summer of 2012 I was walking along a country road with Mary Ellen and we were talking about our dear friend Pat Woodward who had passed away suddenly that April. In that very month I also lost my old friend Pete Fornatale and then my oldest brother Tom. I don’t mean to be maudlin but jeez, that was a really awful spring! Anyway, our conversation was a stark reminder that we had to make the most of every single minute. I began to look forward and mentioned something we should do for the next holiday season, and Mary Ellen replied, “why wait til Christmas?” Boom! Just like that, a song title. Maybe our departed loved ones were sending us a message.
A day or two passed and Mary Ellen handed me a page of lyrics. No surprise there! I could tell she was working it through in her mind. What I didn’t know was that she had the melody already fully crafted in her head. She plunked it out on the piano and I helped her find the chords. We completed it in an hour and later that week we cut a song demo with our friends Joe Mennonna on piano and Karen Mason adding her splendid voice. A full year passed before we found the time to cut our own version of it.
As I was listening while mixing it, I realized that it’s not so much a Christmas song as a New Years’ song. So, if you’re looking for a resolution for 2014, how about this: let’s all resolve not to put off the things that are truly important. Make it Christmas all year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from both of us!
Listen: Why Wait ’til Christmas (Lyrics)
Paul & Mary Ellen, Congratulations on another beautiful song. This one is really special and I absolutely love it. It’s the perfect message that we all can share with our friends and family. Thank you!
Dear Paul and Mary Ellen,
Very nice! I appreciate you sharing how the song came about… it’s really beautiful and kind of makes me sad and happy at the same time. Today I am going to make at least one of those phone calls that too often get put off. Thanks for reminder <3
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Arlene
I loved the song the first time I heard it. Thanks for sharing it with the world. Your favorite fan!
Mel
A really wonderful song. I don’t see why this shouldn’t be a standard. It would do us all a lot of good.
Beautiful song beautiful musical arrangements, Beautiful LYRICS How very very true!! Lost several people too My MOM and several good friends Love this song and the story behind it!